\Lep"ro*sy\ (l[e^]p"r[-o]*s[y^]), n. [See {Leprous}.]
(Med.)
A cutaneous disease which first appears as blebs or as
reddish, shining, slightly prominent spots, with spreading
edges. These are often followed by an eruption of dark or
yellowish prominent nodules, frequently producing great
deformity. In one variety of the disease, an[ae]sthesia of
the skin is a prominent symptom. In addition there may be
wasting of the muscles, falling out of the hair and nails,
and distortion of the hands and feet with destruction of the
bones and joints. It is incurable, and is probably
contagious.
Note: The disease now called leprosy, also designated as
Lepra or Lepra Arabum, and Elephantiasis Gr[ae]corum,
is not the same as the leprosy of the ancients. The
latter was, indeed, a generic name for many varieties
of skin disease (including our modern leprosy,
psoriasis, etc.), some of which, among the Hebrews,
rendered a person ceremonially unclean. A variety of
leprosy of the Hebrews (probably identical with modern
leprosy) was characterized by the presence of smooth,
shining, depressed white patches or scales, the hair on
which participated in the whiteness, while the skin and
adjacent flesh became insensible. It was an incurable
disease.

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Medical Dictionary

Definition:

A skin infection caused by a bacteria, which can also be associated with nerve damage. The bacteria involved is called Mycobacterium leprae.

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Dream Dictionary

Definition:

Dreaming that you have leprosy, suggests that you are not utilizing your full potential. You are wasting away your talents and abilities.

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Biology Dictionary

Definition:

A chronic disease that causes lesions on the bones, skin, mucous membranes, and peripheral nervous system. People suffering from leprosy often lose sensation in their limbs and extremities because of nervous system lesions, and can unknowingly injure themselves and/or not care for wounds, thus causing further disfigurement. This disease, which was widely feared in ancient times and is still a problem in undeveloped countries, is caused by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteriumMycobacterium leprae. Armadillos can also catch this disease (there have been a few isolated incidents of people catching leprosy from them) and so are used in medical research on the illness.

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Easton Bible Dictionary

Definition:

(Heb. tsara'ath, a "smiting," a "stroke," because the disease was regarded as a direct providential infliction). This name is from the Greek lepra, by which the Greek physicians designated the disease from its scaliness. We have the description of the disease, as well as the regulations connected with it, in Lev. 13; 14; Num. 12:10-15, etc. There were reckoned six different circumstances under which it might develop itself, (1) without any apparent cause (Lev. 13:2-8); (2) its reappearance (9-17); (3) from an inflammation (18-28); (4) on the head or chin (29-37); (5) in white polished spots (38, 39); (6) at the back or in the front of the head (40-44).

Lepers were required to live outside the camp or city (Num. 5:1-4; 12:10-15, etc.). This disease was regarded as an awful punishment from the Lord (2 Kings 5:7; 2 Chr. 26:20). (See MIRIAM; GEHAZI; UZZIAH.)

This disease "begins with specks on the eyelids and on the palms, gradually spreading over the body, bleaching the hair white wherever they appear, crusting the affected parts with white scales, and causing terrible sores and swellings. From the skin the disease eats inward to the bones, rotting the whole body piecemeal." "In Christ's day no leper could live in a walled town, though he might in an open village. But wherever he was he was required to have his outer garment rent as a sign of deep grief, to go bareheaded, and to cover his beard with his mantle, as if in lamentation at his own virtual death. He had further to warn passers-by to keep away from him, by calling out, 'Unclean! unclean!' nor could he speak to any one, or receive or return a salutation, since in the East this involves an embrace."

That the disease was not contagious is evident from the regulations regarding it (Lev. 13:12, 13, 36; 2 Kings 5:1). Leprosy was "the outward and visible sign of the innermost spiritual corruption; a meet emblem in its small beginnings, its gradual spread, its internal disfigurement, its dissolution little by little of the whole body, of that which corrupts, degrades, and defiles man's inner nature, and renders him unmeet to enter the presence of a pure and holy God" (Maclear's Handbook O.T). Our Lord cured lepers (Matt. 8:2, 3; Mark 1:40-42). This divine power so manifested illustrates his gracious dealings with men in curing the leprosy of the soul, the fatal taint of sin.